Survivors of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders not only deal with intrusive thoughts, depressive episodes, and intense anxiety; they also feel shame and guilt due to the stigma surrounding mental health complications after welcoming a new baby.

There were a lot of things I didn’t expect about motherhood, but the most shocking thing was grief.

One of the hardest things I have experienced as a mom was my daughter’s colic, which started around the time of lockdown when we could no longer call on our support network for help or a break.

I’ve never wanted to be the center of attention and found the spotlight harsh and anxiety-inducing, but motherhood has made me brave in ways I never expected.

Intrusive thoughts are a common experience for new moms, and I was not an exception.

The first 18 months of my daughter’s life have been defined by the COVID-19 pandemic and all the conflicting emotions that go along with it: grief, anxiety, and pure joy.